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Indigenous Activist Tracee Smith to Speak at Freedom Day
FSWC is thrilled to have added Indigenous activist Tracee Smith to our line-up of Freedom Day speakers. She is a member of the Missanabie Cree First Nation in northern Ontario and is the CEO and Artistic Director of the charity Outside Looking In, which she founded in 2007.
Her work with Indigenous youth continues to change lives, as she helps break stereotypes and provide opportunities for youth to set goals and accomplish their dreams.Freedom Day will be taking place at Yonge-Dundas Square on October 11 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information and to RSVP, contact Melissa Mikel at 416-864-9735 x40 or mmikel@fswc.ca. We look forward to seeing you there!
Holocaust Historian Reveals Couple's Ploy That Saved Thousands of Lives
In his recent book, Toronto Holocaust historian Max Wallace reveals that a brilliant ploy crafted by an Orthodox Jewish wife and her husband ended up saving as many as 300,000 lives during the Holocaust. The pair had created a successful plan to convince Nazi SS Chief Heinrich Himmler to put an end to the killings in concentration camps - resulting in Himmler issuing a decree six months before VE Day prohibiting the "further killings of Jews."
Holt Renfrew Removes Dress with Yellow Star from Stores, Miu Miu Follows Suit
After reaching out to Holt Renfrew and encouraging the removal of a dress with the Yellow Star from its stores, the company's president, Mario Grauso, confirmed yesterday that "all products with the star have been removed from the floor." Miu Miu - the Italian design company behind the dress - also decided to remove the item from its collection. In a statement, Miu Miu said it was not their intention to make any political or religious statement and they apologize for any offence that may have been taken.
FSWC Commends Government Support for IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism
After calling on the Canadian government to follow the EU parliament and formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, FSWC was pleased to receive a positive response. On behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly, the Director of the Ministerial Correspondence Secretariat expressed the government's support for the IHRA working definition of antisemitism and the illustrative examples which expand the definition of antisemitism to include unfair criticisms of Israel and denying the Holocaust.
Join the fight against hate, intolerance and antisemitismin our communities. By supporting Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, you helpfund our educational programs such as Tour for Humanity, Compassion to Action,and many other programs and initiatives. Your contributions are 100%tax-deductible. We thank you for your support!
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Niki Ashton Rejects Endorsement from Alleged Holocaust Denier
Niki Ashton, a federal NDP leadership candidate, has rejected an endorsement from alleged Holocaust denier Nazih Khatatba. Earlier this month, Ashton posed for a photo with Khatatba at a fundraiser; the photo was then used as an endorsement on Khatatba's Facebook and in an Arabic language newspaper edited by him. Ashton stated that she does not support such views and does not accept support from people with such views.
Town in Quebec Refuses to Remove Swastika-Engraved Anchor from Park
The town of Pointe-des-Cascades is refusing to remove an anchor with an engraved swastika from a public park. This decision comes after Corey Fleisher - a Montrealer who dedicates time to erasing hate graffiti - was called to the park by a concerned citizen to remove the swastika. A statement from the town says the park is an "open-air museum" consisting of numerous historical anchors.
Chief Medical Officer Position Held by a Druze Officer for First Time in Israel History
For the first time in Israel history, a Druze officer - Brig. Gen. Dr. Tarif Bader - has been named as the IDF's chief medical officer. Druze are an Arabic-speaking minority who have lived peacefully in Israel, with many members of the community holding high-level positions in politics, military and public service. Bader previously headed IDF's medical mission to treat wounded Syrians in the northern border and commanded IDF humanitarian delegations in Haiti, Nepal and Turkey.
Poll: 1 in 10 Believe Holding Neo-Nazi Views Is Acceptable
According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll, 1 in 10 Americans believe it's acceptable to hold neo-Nazi views. The same poll reveals that 28 per cent of people who participated in the poll approve U.S. President Donald Trump's response to the events in Charlottesville, and 42 per cent agree that he put neo-Nazis and white supremacists on equal standing with their opponents.
From the Arab World
A Saudi-led coalition air strike on a hotelin Sanaa, Yemen has left at least 30 dead. A conflict between thecountry's government - backed by the coalition - and Houthi rebels has resultedin the deaths of more than 8,167 people because of air strikes and fighting onthe ground since March 2015, according to the UN.
Duringa meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu warned that as the Islamic State is leaving areas of Syria, Iranis entering these areas. Referring to Iran as a terrorist organization,Netanyahu went on to state that Iran's effort to establish a military basein Syria "poses a danger to Israel, the Middle East and to the entireworld."
WATCH: Ever Again - Anti-Jewish Demonstrations in Charlottesville
To gain a better understanding of the anti-Jewish demonstrations that took place in Charlottesville, watch Simon Wiesenthal Center's video, titled "Ever Again - Anti-Jewish Demonstrations in Charlottesville." It is critical for everyone to stand up against such hate and educate others. This video serves as a reminder that "those who don't remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
FSWC Wants to Hear from You
Passionate about an issue in the news or your community? Does it align with FSWC's mandate? Then we want to hear from you! FSWC is inviting you to submit reflections on issues that matter to you and the community. While we won't be publishing anything just yet, we will be taking all submissions into consideration for future projects.
Submit reflections to aborisovsky@fswc.ca.
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